Penguins News

Malkin's goal turns the tide

Not to be outdone by Sidney Crosby's one-armed goal in Saturday's 5-0 win at San Jose, Evgeni Malkin responded with one of his own in Pittsburgh's 4-3 win over Edmonton at PPG Paints Arena.

After the Pens netted the opening goal, the Oilers scored three unanswered to take a 3-1 lead. The Pens started a comeback of their own, making it 3-2 going into the second intermission. And in the third period, Malkin took over.

He was driving to the net when Phil Kessel sent a pass diagnonally across the slot. And at first, it looked like Malkin was going to receive it on his forehand - which is what Oilers goalie Cam Talbot anticipated. But instead, Malkin quickly reached out with his right hand and deflected the pass into the net with his backhand, fooling the netminder and tying the game 5:33 into the frame. It was a deceptive play not many players would think to make.

From there, Sheary got his second of the night to give the Pens a huge win against a hot team. All of the buzz heading into tonight surrounded Crosby and Connor McDavid, two generational talents meeting for the first time. But it was Malkin who scored the biggest goal of the night.